Records
Family Law Records and Copies
This section provides information about viewing Family Law records, name indexes, and ordering copies.
Family Law Case Categories
- Divorce/Separation/Annulment
- Parentage
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Domestic Violence
- Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
Parentage and Sealed Cases
Parentage Cases
Parentage cases filed on or after January 1, 2023 that do not involve assisted reproduction are public record. The only people who can look in the court file and request copies from a confidential parentage case are:
- Parties to the case
- Attorneys of the parties
- Department of Child Support Services if they are involved in the case
- Those that have a court order allowing them to do so
Valid photo identification is required to view a Parentage case.
If you are not a party to the parentage case, you must file a Declaration and Order for Inspection of Confidential Parentage File (L-1038) to obtain a court order to view the case.
Sealed Cases
Sealed cases require a court order to view. A valid photo identification is required to view and copy Sealed cases.
Case Retention Time Periods
Cases are retained pursuant to statutory requirements:
- Refer to File Retention Time Frames (L-1018)
- Some historical case records date back to 1889
- Case/name indexes are retained permanently
Viewing Files
Viewing Files Online
You can view a summary of proceedings, list of documents filed, party and hearing information on the above Family Law case categories online for cases opened in 1990 to date. A limited number of cases filed prior to 1990 may also be available. If you do not find the record you are looking for, you can have the clerk perform a record search either in person or by mail. Read more about this below. Note: California Rules of Court prohibit viewing the actual Family Law document itself online, except at a courthouse computer (see below).
Viewing Files at the Courthouse
You can view a summary of proceedings, list of documents filed, party and hearing information for cases opened in 1990 to date at any Superior Court of Orange County Justice Center via public computer terminals. A limited number of cases filed prior to 1990 may also be available. Additionally, the actual documents can be viewed for the following cases:
- Dissolution/Legal Separation/Nullity cases from 1997 to date
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders/Cases initiated by the Department of Child Support Services from 2000 to date
Family Law cases opened prior to these dates are available for viewing, but may be stored offsite. You can order a case by calling (657) 622-8457. The case will be available for viewing and copying within approximately 4 business days at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, Family Law Division Clerk’s Office, 7th floor. The clerk will contact the requesting party when the case is available.
Photo Identification
A valid photo identification is required in order to view a case not on the public computer terminal.
Requesting Copies
You can request copies for most types of Family Law cases. You can also request that the copies be certified.
Requesting Copies Online
Family Law public records may be ordered and paid for online for the following cases:
- Dissolution/Legal Separation/Nullity cases from 1997 to date
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders/Cases initiated by the Department of Child Support Services from 2000 to date
- Documents purchased by mail, phone or online will be mailed 30-45 days from date of purchase
A limited number of cases opened prior to these dates may also be available. (Copies will be mailed). If you do not find the record you are looking for, you can have the clerk perform a record/document search either in person or by mail. Read more about this below.
Requesting Copies in Person
Copies of documents for Family Law public records stored electronically can be ordered at any Superior Court of Orange County Justice Center via public computer terminals for the following cases:
- Dissolution/Legal Separation/Nullity cases from 1997 to date
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders/Cases initiated by the Department of Child Support Services from 2000 to date
A limited number of cases filed prior to these dates may also be available.
Family Law cases opened prior to these dates are available for viewing and copies, but may be stored offsite. You can order a case by calling (657) 622-8457. The case will be available for viewing and copying within approximately 4 business days at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, Family Law Division Clerk’s Office, 7th floor. The clerk will contact the requesting party when the case is available.
To request copies:
- Complete a Copy Request form (L-0696)
- Fee required: $0.50 per page
- Additional fee required to certify documents (see Fee Schedule-Records Related Fees section)
Requesting Copies by Mail
- Read and complete the Copy Request Form (L-0696)
- Include payment
- Include a self-addressed, stamped appropriate size envelope depending on the number of copies ordered. Postage fees will be added to the check/credit card if postage on the envelope is insufficient.
- Mail to: Lamoreaux Justice Center, Attn: Family Law Records, 341 The City Dr., Orange, CA 92868
- Documents purchased by mail, phone or online will be mailed 30-45 days from date of purchase
Case Indexes
Case indexes contain a listing of cases filed. They are retained permanently.
Viewing Case Indexes Online
You can perform a search for a case online by party name or the Superior Court of Orange County case number. Cases opened in 1990 and after are generally available. If you do not find the record you are looking for, you can have the clerk perform a record search or go to the Lamoreaux Justice Center for assistance. Read more about this below.
Viewing Case Indexes at the Courthouse
You can perform a search for a case at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, Family Law Division Clerk’s Office, 7th floor for cases opened in 1968 or later.
If the case was opened prior to 1968, the search must be performed at the Central Justice Center, Records Management Unit, 1st floor.
Requesting the Clerk Perform a Case Index Search
You can request that the clerk perform a record search. The fee for each search longer than 10 minutes is $15.00. Complete the Request for Record Search (L-0006) and mail it with the fee to the Lamoreaux Justice Center, Attn: Family Law Records 341 The City Dr., Orange, CA 92868
Purchasing Case Indexes
Person indexes are available for purchase. Click here for more information.
For additional information regarding indexes or to check on an index order, e-mail the Superior Court of Orange County Records Management Unit at: cjcrecordsmanagement@occourts.org or call (657) 622-7809.